Fruit and nut trees

- An application of nitrogen fertilizer probably helps fruit sizing. This is more significant for fall ripening (navels and tangerines) than spring ripening (grapefruit and Valencia orange) varieties.

- Apply nitrogen and zinc to pecan trees to produce normal size leaf growth and to enhance kernel development. Pecans also need more water than most other shade trees.

- Be prepared to protect citrus from early frosts in November.

Landscape plants

- Cut off spent blooms to stimulate rebloom.

- By October, it is too late to fertilize plants sensitive to frost such as citrus, hibiscus and bougainvillea. However, early fall fertilization can help the recovery of summer-weary trees, shrubs, vines, ground covers, lawns and flowers. Nitrogen fertilizer should be adequate. Follow with good deep irrigation.

- Pre-emergent herbicides can be applied from October through early December for winter annual weed control. Follow package instructions. Don't use pre-emergent herbicides where you will be planting seeds this season.